It’s August so it must be time for Congress—and the President—to get out of Dodge, or in this case, D.C.
On Monday, Congress plans to recess for about a month, to a) take a break and b) go home to be amongst their people—their constituents. They’ve been doing this regularly for a couple hundred years. It used to be out of necessity—it was simply too hot to work in Washington. In 1970 it became law.
Beyond time off
While it is a chance to regroup, it is also a chance to stall movement on various bills or refine strategies. And it’s an opportunity for the president to make moves without congressional blessing. In 2005, President Bush named John Bolton U.N. ambassador after a protracted nomination failed to get confirmation before the August recess.
What’s happening now
While nothing like that is expected to happen this year, there will be unfinished business left on the table: Iraq policy (when and if to set a time table for troop withdrawal) and the farm bill (allocates subsidies to U.S. farmers), among others. Congress was able to push through an ethics and lobbyist bill (an attempt to make lawmakers more transparent about any personal agendas in legislation, and perks such as private plane use, etc.) before breaking.
The big picture
Come on! Everyone needs a break. Even the Iraqi Congress is taking the month off. And of course Bush will be vacationing at his Texas ranch. But U.S. lawmakers may not get much of a break this year as they go home to constituents disgruntled about the war. Even Moveon.org plans a well-funded anti-war “ambush” on some Congressmen around the country, ensuring little rest for those who don’t support troop withdrawal. But with no one in Washington, kinda makes you wonder who will be running the ship.
On Monday, Congress plans to recess for about a month, to a) take a break and b) go home to be amongst their people—their constituents. They’ve been doing this regularly for a couple hundred years. It used to be out of necessity—it was simply too hot to work in Washington. In 1970 it became law.
Beyond time off
While it is a chance to regroup, it is also a chance to stall movement on various bills or refine strategies. And it’s an opportunity for the president to make moves without congressional blessing. In 2005, President Bush named John Bolton U.N. ambassador after a protracted nomination failed to get confirmation before the August recess.
What’s happening now
While nothing like that is expected to happen this year, there will be unfinished business left on the table: Iraq policy (when and if to set a time table for troop withdrawal) and the farm bill (allocates subsidies to U.S. farmers), among others. Congress was able to push through an ethics and lobbyist bill (an attempt to make lawmakers more transparent about any personal agendas in legislation, and perks such as private plane use, etc.) before breaking.
The big picture
Come on! Everyone needs a break. Even the Iraqi Congress is taking the month off. And of course Bush will be vacationing at his Texas ranch. But U.S. lawmakers may not get much of a break this year as they go home to constituents disgruntled about the war. Even Moveon.org plans a well-funded anti-war “ambush” on some Congressmen around the country, ensuring little rest for those who don’t support troop withdrawal. But with no one in Washington, kinda makes you wonder who will be running the ship.
